HAMPSHIRE COUNTY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
Board Meeting Minutes
June 17th, 2026
Present: Brian Hott, David Mayfield, Jason Hicks, Len McMaster, Jeff Richman, David Pancake, Jaclynn Graybill, David Holliday, Logan Mantz, Jon Todd Hott, Cathy Simon.
Excused: Tamitha Wilkins, Rebecca Miller.
Guests: Sydney Maurer, Jodi Adams, Keith McIntosh, Lauren Arbaugh, Johnny Spencer.
Zoom: Beverly Keadle, Alison Jewell, Hoy Shingleton, Chris Strovel
Having a quorum, President Brian Hott called the HCDA Board meeting to order at 10:05am. Following was the Pledge of Allegiance and Prayer.
Approval of Agenda: David Pancake made a motion to approve the agenda. Len McMaster seconded the motion. Motion passed.
Secretary’s Report-Jeff Richman made a motion to approve the minutes of the May meeting. Len McMaster seconded the motion. Motion passed.
Treasurer’s Report: Budget will be approved today. Copies for review offered. Jason Hicks made a motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report. Len McMaster seconded the motion. Motion passed.
Marketing Committee Report:
- HOTH – Director Hott presented an update of Hampshire on the Horizon. Had finale picnic at the Hott residence with 22 in attendance. Amy Pancake asked the committee to consider non-profit businesses in HOTH in the future. Second place winners submitted documents for payment of prize funds in the amount of $2,500.
- HC Chamber of Commerce Report – Jaclynn Graybill reported that the Chamber had a networking event. About 15 were in attendance. Plans to do a home show were postponed until a later date, possibly one in the Fall and again in the Spring.
Next event is the Summer Social on July 28th, which marks the one-year anniversary of the Hampshire County Chamber of Commerce, at the venue that used to be the Country Store. Membership is growing. Website is showing some traction. Moving forward!
- Workforce Development Update-Meeting was held this morning with Superintendent Burch, Lauren Arbaugh and Johnny Spenser (EWVCTC), and Jon
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Todd Hott. Have been struggling to find an electrical instructor and feel confident
that the issue has been solved. They will meet this afternoon on how to market the
- classes and come up with a plan. Lauren Arbaugh stated that she is encouraged via the meeting this morning that an electrical feature will be added to the curriculum. This week is the time to submit all of the state funding for next year’s classes. All three levels for carpentry and electrical will be submitted. Funding of $66,000 for the welding class was approved for the class at Hampshire High. With Lauren is Johnny Spencer who is the instructor for CDL and Heavy Equipment operations. Johnny Spencer stated “what is happening with these classes in Hampshire County has been such a great opportunity for all involved. It is exciting to see the interest in the furthering of education. There has not been any recent activity with Shepherd College.
Personnel Committee – No Report.
Risk Management & Safety – No Report.
Executive Director’s Report & Updates. Activity report included.
- Capon Bridge Tech Park
Bungee-No new update.
Aquabanq – Rick Hillenbrand shared news from A.J. Shapiro. Shapiro stated to
Hillenbrand he is “currently wrapping up the larger financing round for a 20 production rollout. The first two units are being planned for Capon Bridge. The process is taking longer than expected due to rituals nobody seems able to explain and I have been advised not to question for the sake of my own sanity. So October/November 2026.”
S.J. Morse – David Pancake reported that S.J. Morse is at 110% capacity. This year will test our efficiency at the current facility. Not doing a lot of laminate right now, for it slows the press down. Plans are to move the warehouse to Winchester, then move the laminate line there. Are complete with the acquisition project. Travel to San Diego brought education for new materials coming into the industry. They want them to send their advertisement, and company description with products to the top national trade show.
Thrasher/CBTP – Reached out to R.J. at Thrasher last week. No recent update on engineering work. Next step is to get final report and make a decision on hiring a contractor and figure out how to pay for it.
- Capon Bridge Community Complex
The grant funds in the amount of $40,000 has been earmarked for installing new exterior doors.
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Room #3 tenant upstairs complained that the floor was “falling in”. Genesis was working in the building and looked at the floor, that was found to have fire damage from a fire in the ‘70s. The floor was repaired for $2,400 and was paid for out of the grant funds.
Daycare – Had conversations with Statton Clark and contacted sprinkler contractors and are looking at the cost for a sprinkler system will be a minimum of $400,000. Before going further testing for contaminants need to be done. Still waiting on the assessment grant for the CBCC. No funds are available to move forward. These things need to be done and is the Board still on board with this project? Need to get MOU between Living Waters and the Development Authority if HCDA does assessments. After discussion, Board is in agreement of moving forward.
Capon Bridge School Street Road Work – Mayor Holliday has signed the contract with DOH.
- Romney Business Park
Tenant is moving out of Units B&C mid-July. Tenant is closing on home. They asked for an additional month to move in turn to pay one more month of rent. Board will give extension. Beverly Keadle made a motion to extend one month with the tenant owing one additional month of rent. Final date is July 15th. Doc Holliday seconded the motion. Motion passed.
- Potomac Eagle – A lot of time was spent to write the CRISI Grant. Hampshire County Commission approved and signed a resolution to support the project for month of funds. Kudos for J.T. Hott for his representation of the Potomac Eagle Rail Project (CRISI Grant).
Resolution for signature to submit application that is due on June 25th. Beverly Keadle made a motion to approve signature. Len McMaster seconded the motion. Motion passed.
Request for additional funding by Logan Mantz for Stone Street Consulting. Jason Hicks made a motion to approve. Len McMaster seconded the motion. Motion passed.
- School Street Project
Demo complete. Reclaim is waiting for grass to grow for removal of trailers.
Spoke to BOE and requested Phase II ESA report.
WV Swing – HC Parks & Rec and CVB got permission from BOE to put swing up before property was transferred. However, the fence was removed, but was expected to remain in place. Another fence was placed but liability is an issue.
BOE is working with County Commission to have property transferred as soon as possible. In turn, the County Commission will transfer to Parks and Rec. Director Hott had been asked to help facilitate the transfer. Prospect will be coming into town seeking property.
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Parks & Recreation – Document included for review regarding the basketball lot on School Street.
- Hampshire Wellness and Fitness
Report attached. Numbers down this month. Zoom is scheduled for 3PM on June 23rd requested by Jake Meza along with Attorney. Director Hott, Hoy Shingleton and any member that is interested in attending.
Housing Report
Report for Review.
OLD BUSINESS
Resolution – Beverly Keadle made a motion to accept. Len McMaster seconded the motion. Motion passed. Previously discussed and passed.
NEW BUSINESS
Approval of 2027 Budget – Beverly Keadle made a motion to approve. Len McMaster seconded the motion. Motion passed.
HOTH – Motion made by Jeff Richman to approve $2,500 to Appalachian Wedding Chapel. Jaclynn Graybill seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Communications/Public Comment
Rick Hillenbrand spoke about expenses for Hampshire County Schools funding.
He cleared up the details of the requested funding for lights at the high school
for instance. Budget conversations need to be had with further conversation.
Adjourn – Len McMaster made a motion to adjourn. Jason Hicks seconded the motion. Motion carried.
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